Stay informed about government news and updates in Tampa Bay, FL.
A Bay Area civil rights activist, Carl Soto, is alleging police brutality following his arrest, which was recorded on a Hillsborough County deputy's bodycam. The sheriff's office has stated that the deputy involved did not violate any policies during the incident.
President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the White House to discuss the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, marking their second meeting since Starmer took office. The discussions included the potential use of long-range missiles by Ukraine amid rising tensions with Russia, as well as efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Katherine Sticklin, a 28-year-old youth counselor at A Kid's Place in Tampa Bay, was arrested for allegedly performing sexual acts on a minor in her care. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported that Sticklin pressured the child into sexual activity, using social media to send explicit images and continuing her advances even after being blocked. She faces serious charges, including lewd or lascivious touching and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Donald Trump announced plans for mass deportations targeting Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado, during a news conference in California. His claims about these cities being overrun by criminal migrants have been disputed by local officials. Trump's remarks have raised concerns about their potential impact on community safety and school threats.
Environmental experts and local residents are raising concerns about a recent land swap involving Withlacoochee State Forest, which has been approved by the Florida Cabinet under Governor Ron DeSantis. Critics argue that the deal, which gives forest land to a luxury golf resort in exchange for less biodiverse timberland, undermines conservation efforts and lacks transparency.
Georgia's state House speaker, Jon Burns, announced plans to introduce new policies aimed at enhancing student mental health and gun safety following a tragic school shooting that resulted in four fatalities. However, the proposed measures fall short of Democratic calls for more stringent gun control, such as universal background checks and red flag laws.
Five adults in Florida have been charged in connection with the starvation death of 7-year-old Deonte Atwell, who had disabilities and required extensive medical care. The investigation revealed he weighed only 7 pounds at the time of his death, with evidence indicating he had not received necessary feeding and medical support.
Hurricane Francine is moving through the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday evening. Residents are advised to prepare for deteriorating conditions as the storm approaches.
Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, strongly denies allegations of sexual assault made against him in a civil lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, claims Watson assaulted a woman during a dinner date four years ago, and he is currently under NFL investigation for possible violations of the league’s personal conduct policy. Despite the allegations, Watson's coach stated there are no plans to bench him for the upcoming game.
The City of Tampa's Internal Audit Department has released its report on the Job Order Contracting program established for the repair and rehabilitation of city facilities and infrastructure. The full report is accessible on TampaGov.net.